Contemplative End of Life Care Certificate

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 The certificate in Contemplative End of Life Care provides healthcare professionals with the skills and understanding to better tend to the psychospiritual needs of the chronically ill and the dying.

Palliative and end of life care are interdependent interdisciplinary support, delivered to enhance the quality of life and symptom management of those experiencing chronic and life limiting illness, including terminal disease processes.  Contemplative end of life care focuses on the spiritual aspects of existential pain and suffering, it is a holistic approach to providing psychosocial support, comfort, and care given during the time leading up to and surrounding death.

The certificate program in Contemplative End of Life Care is dedicated to joining with other nationally recognized curriculums advancing innovative and revolutionary responses to promoting high quality integrative, palliative and end of life care, grounded in mind-body-spirit, person-centered approaches.  The Contemplative End of Life Care certificate is designed to prepare students with the essential professional competencies for providing compassionate, skillful care that tends to the emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of individuals and their families who are living with life limiting and terminal illness. 

The 12-credit certificate program is interdisciplinary and designed to appeal to students currently enrolled in a Saybrook University masters or doctoral program, who have an interest in providing palliative and end of life care and services.  External students/students at large are eligible to enroll. 

The curriculum is applicable to individuals working in different settings such as clinical care, coaching, administration, consulting, teaching, and research.  The certificate will augment degrees in psychology, social work, integrative healthcare, chaplaincy, and hospice/palliative care volunteers.  Graduates will provide direct care and education for clients with chronic conditions and those approaching end of life.

Note: This certificate does not lead to licensure. Students will gain courses and experience applicable toward certification by the Association of Death Education and Counseling (Certificate in Thanatology, Death, Dying, and Bereavement, Fellow in Thanagology, Death, Dying, and Bereavement).  Some additional requirements are not included in the Saybrook courses.